Thomas Barrett murder trial witnesses say he spoke of killing Brett MacKinnon

Witnesses at the murder trial of aCape Breton man testified Thursday that Thomas TedBarretttold them he had killed a woman.

Barrett is on trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court for second-degree murder in the death of Brett Elizabeth MacKinnon, 21, who was last seen in 2006.

Former girlfriendKrysta Newell told a Sydneycourtroom that in June or July 2006, Barrett had a largebruise on his shoulder and back.

About three months later, he told her the bruise came from dragging the body of a girl he had killed around the house, but would not identify the girl.

Newell, who said she began a relationship with Barrett just before she turned 16, said the pair got high on cocaine and crack regularly and sometimes stayed up for five days at a time when they were doing drugs.

She also said she saw MacKinnon at Barrett's house on a number of occasions.

Another witness, Chris Andrews, told the court that he spoke to Barrett about a month after MacKinnon`sbody was found in 2008 near GlaceBay. She had disappeared from the area two years before.

Andrews testified Barretttold him he beat and strangled MacKinnon after he caught her taking drugs. Andrews said Barrett told him he knew when MacKinnonwas deadbecause her pupils changed and there was no life left.

Court also heard from two Cape Breton Regional Police officers about the credibility ofa woman,now dead, who gavea statement to policerecorded on video. She allegedBarrett confided in her that he strangled MacKinnon.

Const. Keith Power said Sheryl Flynn was arrested on theft charges in 2012 and released to restorative justice. Const. Robert Davies said Flynn seemed fine and of clear mind when she gave the statement.

Testimony continues next week.

ReadCBC'sYvonne LeBlanc-Smith liveblogfrom Day 4 of the trial.

Barrett, 40,has elected trial by judge alone. Two weeks have been set aside for the trial.

Barrettalsowill be triedin the fall in the death of21-year-old Laura Jessome.